Home > Hiking > Hiking Trip Reports > Richard, Susan, and John do the Bonds

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The spur trail that leads to the campsite is at least a half-mile down from the Bondcliff trail and rather annoying after hiking in six hours. When we finally arrived at the caretaker's tent, the flap was closed so we knew we could register later after our hike to the Bonds. The first two platforms next to the caretaker's tent had a family setting up at one while the other was empty. The thought of listening to two small children screeching all night was too much to tolerate so we continued on and found the furthest platform from the caretaker's tent and the children. The down side was that we had to climb back up three additional levels before reaching water and the spur trail but we figured it was worth it to have a quiet platform undisturbed by restless children.

We quickly set up camp and devoured lunch with all the subtlety of a Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom special. After refilling several water bottles at the spring, which was running slowly due to the lack of rain, we began our ascent of the dreaded spur tail that would eventual lead to the Bondcliff trail and our ultimate destination. About ten minutes into the hike John decided his knees where not up to the challenged and headed back to the platform for a nap. Susan and I not wanting to wait until the next day to summit the Bonds given that the weather showed no sign of improvement, decided to press on without our trusty companion.

Rather than hike to West Bond first and then head to Mount Bond and Bondcliff, we decided to do Mount Bond first, Bondcliff second, and West Bond last. The hike to Mount Bond wasn't bad, however, after hiking in six hours it was beginning to take a toll on us. Once on the summit of Mount Bond the view, albeit slightly obscured by mist, was well worth the hike. I couldn't recall seeing such a vista anywhere else in the Whites that would complete with this view. We both truly enjoyed the scenery and the solitude we were afforded given no one else was present except us. Our energy level was falling so we gathered our strength and headed to Bondcliff, which looked somewhat formable in the distance.

Even though Susan didn't say anything I could tell she was not a happy camper. We had done a few Bataan death marches this summer so we were not tenderfoots to hiking, it was just that after hiking in six hours we had an additional three and a half hours to go before we completed our hike. Couple that with the fact that after nine and a half hours of hiking, we were still six hours away from our car and salvation. I think Susan forgot how different an overnight hike is to a day hike even when the mileage is similar.

We both (I too was on the verge of a whine) summoned what strength we had left and headed to Bondcliff. The hike down into the trees was a bit steep given the lateness of the day and our rapidly deteriorating strength, but we persevered and emerged from the trees moments later and started our ascent of the rocky trail that leads to the top. I do have to say I did like the trail to the top for it allowed you to see both sides of the ridge at once. Since I do have a slight (ok, big) case of acrophobia, a certain part of my anatomy was tingling as I climbed the summit, which made the hike even more interesting to say the least.

Once again we had the summit to ourselves for about 20 minutes until a couple emerged from the Wilderness trail side, whereby we proceeded to briefly chat with them before they headed off to the campsite for a much-needed rest. We passed them on the way up to Mount Bond and didn't see them again until we arrived at the campsite where unfortunately the only platform available was the one next to the children. After leaving Mount Bond, we tried to figure out which peak in the distance was West Bond. Susan hoped it was closer than the one we saw off to our left, but I had to break the news to her that the peak she was dreading was the only one around with a large cairn on the top, so that had to be West Bond. Much to her disappointment, I was proven correct as we headed down the West Bond trail and emerged from tree line to see the summit in the distance that she was dreading. I took no joy (ok, a little) in being correct, for I too had to climb this thing before we could head back to camp. We sat for only a few minutes before heading back because our water and strength were slowly running low.

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